The press release from the manufacturer FWIW:

API Announces Latest Upgrade for BBJs
Split Scimitar Winglets
Geneva, Switzerland. May 19, 2014... Aviation Partners, Inc. (API) is here at EBACE to discuss the latest upgrade for BBJs, the new Split Scimitar Winglets (SSWs). The SSWs,recently certified for the 737-800 (including BBJ2) by Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), API's jointventure with the Boeing Company, are already in-service with a number of major airlines. Using a newly patented API design, the SSW program completely redefines the aerodynamics of the existing Blended Winglet. The retrofit to the existing BBJ Blended Winglet will consist of adding a new Scimitar-tipped large Ventral Strake, beef up of internal winglet structure, and replacement of the aluminum winglet tip caps with new aerodynamically shaped "Scimitar" tip
caps. This revolutionary design was flight tested by API in 2012 on a BBJ and confirmed significant drag reduction over the basic Blended Winglet configuration. The unique feature of the Spilt Scimitar Winglet is that it builds on the existing Blended Winglet design to provide a dramatic performance improvement without increasing the existing wing span.
For long-range BBJ operations, the SSW will provide a drag reduction, and corresponding range increase, of 2.5-3.0% over the current Blended Winglet configuration. This translates to a range increase of 200 nautical miles or more for long range operators. "The Split Scimitar Winglet range benefit is tremendously compelling given the missions many BBJ owners undertake," said Gary Dunn, API Vice President of Sales & Marketing, "the upgrade will essentially give a BBJ with seven aux tanks the range of an eight aux
tank airplane."

The Split Scimitar Winglets are already FAA and EASA approved for the 737-800 / BBJ2, with STC anticipated on the remaining 737NG models (including BBJ and BBJ3) by year end. For more information visit API at EBACE (stand #5917) or fly to www.aviationpartners.com.


On Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 11:04:01 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
Oh! Do they increase the strength of the wing carry-through and/or
the landing gear/tires/brakes? We mustn't forget that pesky
1/2*mv**2 thing.



Or do you mean they lower the liftoff speed for a given weight thus
reducing balanced field length?






On 1/14/2015 4:04 PM, Mike Rinaldi
wrote:



Winglets not only reduce fuel consumption, increasing range, but also allow for a greater take-off gross weight.





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Dan Marotta